Eating Well 

Page 7 of 11

Almost like The Real Thing
How to do junk food, vegan-style
By Amanda Rock
comments@cityweekly.net

Whether you're eating vegan for your health, the environment or for the animals, you're going to crave junk food—you're only human. If you're looking to satiate your cravings without the meat, dairy and eggs, keep reading. Unbutton your pants, tuck a napkin into your shirt and get ready to chow down on these delectable vegan dishes.

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Full Whittaker Smothered Nachos, $9.50
If you're craving something hearty, head straight for Frisch's Full Whittaker Smothered Nachos. Organic corn chips are topped with a layer of housemade vegan cheese sauce and smoky red sauce, but it doesn't stop there. A plethora of organic black beans, brown rice, tomatoes and meaty spicy soy "chicken" make these nachos meal-worthy. Served with a flavorful fresh salsa—they are messy and finger-licking delicious.
Frisch Compassionate Eatery, 145 E. 1300 South, Ste. 201, Salt Lake City, 801-906-8277, FrischEats.com

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Granny V's Sugar Cookies, $27 for a dozen
Salt Lake City's most popular vegan baker, Kelly Colobella, first perfected the vegan Twinkie and then moved on to re-create another popular snack from our childhoods. Granny V's Sugar Cookies are made without dairy, eggs and scary preservatives. They're big, with pink frosting, and every bit as good as those other sugar cookies you buy at gas stations. Cakewalk is conveniently located inside Frisch for a well-rounded meal.
Cakewalk Baking Co., 145 E. 1300 South, Ste. 201, Salt Lake City, CakewalkBakingCompany.com

Seaweed Rolls
These palatable maki rolls will stick to your ribs. Opt for the Firecracker Roll ($8.99), a scrumptious and spicy combination of deep-fried soy meat, jalapeno and vegan cream cheese with a flaky soy topping, drizzled with savory brown sauce and a squiggle of peppery vegan aioli. The Double Jade roll ($7.99) is another winner. Stuffed with tofu, avocado and cucumber and topped with ultra crispy fried tofu. Ask for the Evergreen Menu to view the selection.
Golden Phoenix, 1084 S. State, Salt Lake City, 801-539-1122

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Zao Tacos, $7.25
For your next Taco Tuesday, try Zao's Korean tacos. It's "fast food" in that it's prepared quickly, but the similarities end there. Three flour tortillas are filled with Thai-spiced organic tofu, romaine lettuce, dressed with a Korean red sauce and chili-lime aioli (optional) and topped with carrot daikon, crispy ginger scallions and cilantro. With locations throughout the valley, it's easy to get a quick, flavorful healthy vegan option.
Zao Asian Cafe, various Locations, ZaoAsianCafe.com

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Ocean Love Noodles, $8.95
The moment you bite into the meaty, battered and fried vegan shrimp, you'll fall in love just like the name suggests. This Vietnamese noodle salad is brimming with a tasty combination of fried "shrimp," a sliced veggie egg roll (in an eggless wrapper, no less), shredded lettuce, cucumber and mint served over chilled vermicelli noodles with a sweet and sour sauce. A sprinkling of peanuts, scallions and house-pickled carrot and daikon add color, flavor and crunch. Both filling and refreshing, this noodle salad is sure to please.
All Chay, 1264 W. 500 North, Salt Lake City, 801-521-4789

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The Avalanche, $9.50
Good luck escaping this avalanche of vegan breakfast food. It's a lot of food: two fluffy pancakes with vegan butter and maple syrup, savory tofu scramble (taking the place of eggs), home-fried potatoes and housemade vegan sausage. Whether you're in need of a hangover cure or just can't decide between sweet and savory, The Avalanche will come to your rescue. It's served all day.
Vertical Diner, 2280 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City, 801-484-8378, VerticalDiner.com

Kein Fleisch Burger, $10
David Morris, the self-proclaimed "King of Vegan Junk Food" single-handedly created vegan bar food in Salt Lake. As co-owner of Ice Haüs, he's made the bar into something special. The Kein Fleisch Burger is gloriously messy—loaded with sauerkraut, sautéed mushrooms and onions. A slice of vegan cheddar, lettuce, vegan mayo and mustard round out the burger made with quinoa and kale, peppered with crunchy almond bits. Choose from garlic, Cajun or regular fries as a side.
Ice Haüs, 7 E. 4800 South, Murray, 801-266-2127, IceHausBar.com

Cheesesteak, $6.50
If "vegan cheesesteak" sounds like an oxymoron, you haven't visited Buds Sandwich Co. This all-vegan sandwich shop has become popular for serving plant-based versions of traditional sandwiches. Its cheesesteak is as gut-busting and succulent as anything you'll see Guy Fieri enjoying.

A toasted sourdough hoagie is loaded with peppered soy steak, bell pepper, grilled onion and warm smoky cheese sauce. Take it up a notch and add housemade marinara and sliced olives to make it a pizzasteak. Buds, 509 E. 300 South, Salt Lake City, BudsSLC.com

Veg'd Out sandwich, $7
You don't need fake meat or cheese to be satiated. Case in point: The Veg'd Out sandwich is bursting with fresh cucumber, tomato, kale, tart sundried tomato and a hearty slathering of Laziz hummus. Choose from any of the bagels (I suggest the everything) for your sandwich. A commitment to tradition means bagels are made without honey or eggs. You'll be addicted, so be sure to grab a dozen (or two) to go. Pro tip: they freeze well. The Bagel Project, 779 S. 500 East, Salt Lake City, 801-906-0698, BagelProject.com

Vegan Mac & Cheese, $6.25
Macaroni and cheese is the ultimate comfort food, even if it's vegan. City Cakes Vegan Mac & Cheese is luscious. Generous curly noodles are drenched in a distinctive bright orange cheese made from cashews and red peppers. Each forkful is gratifying and characteristically decadent—even better than the mac & cheese you might remember. Be sure to treat yourself to a chocolate-chip cookie for dessert; you've been good today. City Cakes, 1000 S. Main, Salt Lake City, 801-359-2239, CityCakesCafe.com